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PODCAST

The Foreign Desk

Presented by Andrew Mueller, Monocle’s flagship global-affairs show features expert guests and in-depth analysis of the big issues of the week. Nominated for ‘Best Current Affairs’ show and the ‘Spotlight Award’ in the 2022 British Podcast Awards.

news politics

All Episodes

7:30

Explainer 498: Belarus’s balloon offensive

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/12/17

Lithuania has been beleaguered by balloons drifting into its airspace from neighbouring Belarus. What are the military advantages of this seemingly whimsical mode of transportation? And how severe is the threat? Andrew Mueller explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

29:03

Could Taiwan draw the US, China and Japan into war?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/12/13

Japan prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s assertion that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be a threat to her nation’s survival has spurred a crisis between Tokyo and Beijing. Can de-escalation be achieved? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

6:31

Explainer 497: The art of (stopping) the coup

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/12/10

Benin has become the latest West African state to face a coup. Andrew Mueller explains how the region’s history of upheavals gave president Patrice Talon the tools to stop the attempt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

34:29

One year on from the toppling of the Assad regime,...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/12/06

One year on from the spectacular toppling of the Assad regime, has the Syrian revolution achieved its aims? How well is President al-Sharaa governing and remaking his image? Will global intervention help or hurt the state?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

6:56

Explainer 496: Is Hegseth in deep water?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/12/03

Self-styled US “Secretary of War” Pete Hegseth is facing criticism for striking boats off the coast of Venezuela, killing more than 80 people. But will there be any consequences?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

27:34

Powering purpose

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/12/01

A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels. Andrew Mueller discusses the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition with a panel of experts fromHitachi Energy, GE Vernova andAurora.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

35:47

What do Russians really think of Putin?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/11/29

How many Russians support President Putin’s worldview? Does real opposition exist? Leading dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza outlines how Russia and the West must prepare for the post-Putin era, and why those efforts must begin now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

8:04

Explainer 495: What’s in the Ukraine peace deal?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/11/26

What’s in the US-brokered peace deal for Ukraine? And does Russia even want the war to end?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

33:24

Stranger than fiction?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/11/22

Many politicians and diplomats serve during incidents that feel stranger than fiction.Veep writer David Quantick and former UK ambassador John Everard discuss how entertainment and politics interact.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:33

Explainer 494: The bright side of Ukraine’s...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/11/19

It has been a tough week for Zelensky’s government. But is there a bright side to the corruption scandal gripping Ukraine? Andrew Mueller explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

30:37

How the Arctic is hotting up

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/11/15

As the ice recedes, geopolitical tensions are emerging among arctic nations – not to mention China and the US. What are the stakes? And how can this region be better defended?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

8:39

Explainer 493: Trump vs the BBC

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/11/14

The BBC is the latest media outlet to find itself at the mercy of Trump’s legal team. Does this spell the end of the embattled British institution? Or just another passing feud for the litigious president?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

30:16

Are the world’s Gen Z protests different?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/11/08

Young people across the world are taking to the streets, setting fire to parliaments and toppling governments. But why now? And are these activists any different to previous generations?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

7:26

Explainer 492: Why is Nigeria the US military’s...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/11/05

After threatening Venezuela with military intervention last week, President Trump has now shifted his focus to Nigeria. But why?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

30:25

Is Milei’s chainsaw cutting through?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/11/01

Argentina’s mid-terms surprised everyone, as president Javier Milei’s party doubled its parliamentary seats. Have Argentinians bought into his radical economic programme? Or will the pain and populism prove too much? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

8:00

Explainer 491: Trump’s third term?

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/10/29

US presidents are, as we know, two-term limited. But will that stop Trump? Andrew Mueller lays out the possible paths to re-re-election.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

42:44

Eighty years on, is the United Nations a relevant...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/10/25

Eighty years on from its inception, the United Nations is in crisis. Former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton joins an expert panel to discuss the institution’s need for change, and if reform is possible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

6:39

Explainer 490: Who is Japan’s new prime minister,...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/10/22

Japan made history this week as its first woman prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, was sworn in. But what are her politics and how will she manage without a parliamentary majority?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

33:53

Donald Trump, the diplomat

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/10/18

President Trump has achieved what numerous other world leaders have failed to secure: a peace deal between Israel and Hamas. So is there actually merit in his unorthodox approach to diplomacy?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

6:58

Explainer 489: Why have Gen Z protests spread to...

The Foreign Desk ·

2025/10/15

President Andry Rajoelina flees as Madagascar’s youth follow the example of protestors in Morocco, Nepal and Sri Lanka, among others. But why are Gen Z taking to the streets across the world? Andrew Mueller explains.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

287 results

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